During a press conference Monday afternoon, NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton said the unions had agreed to stop putting out statements out of respect for Liu's and Ramos' families. De Blasio also called for a temporary halt to the protests to allow the families to mourn.

"I've had the opportunity today to talk with the leadership of all five of our police unions, in line with what the mayor has referenced, asking that demonstrations and other forms of protests be put on hold until after the Christmas holidays and after the funerals," said Bratton. "In discussion with the five presidents of our various unions, they are standing down in respect for the fallen members until after the funerals, and then we can continue the dialogue that had begun about issues and differences that exist."

It appears that Police Commissioner Bratton has negotiated what can best be described as a "ceasefire" between the police unions and mayor and other prominent Democrats. Well done, Commissioner. If he wasn't able to bridge the gap, I don't know of anyone else who had even remotely comparable levels of respect and trust.

The terms appear to be simple: no major anti-police protests or statements in return for radio silence from the unions, at least until after the officers' funerals and Christmas.

If the truce holds for at least a few days, tempers should hopefully be able to calm. However, even the smallest spark can start an inferno. I sincerely hope and pray that nothing happens in the coming days (or ever) - no victims of police violence and no one attacking the police.

I'm not even saying that you definitely should have a gun or that the proper response is always to shoot at an armed assailant. I'm objecting to the poster's apparent belief that quiet compliance is always the best policy.

Even if compliance was generally the safest route, every situation must be evaluated on the merits and as understood by the individual at the time and place their life is threatened. Owning and carrying a firearm simply provides additional options in a life and death scenario.